Nuclear submarines unexpectedly collide

The collision of two French and British nuclear submarines in early February may have resulted from a lack of communication between France and NATO nations.  Analyst Hans Kristensen of the Ploughshares-funded Federation of American Scientists says, “The fact that the collision occurred at all indicates that the two allies need to talk more.” The event demonstrates that, however improbable, nuclear accidents can certainly occur. Kristensen reports that more Russian submarines conducted patrols in 2008 than in previous years, joined by French, British, American and Chinese vessels.